Stuart, Fla. — The Education Foundation of Martin County is proud to announce that The Hope Center for Autism has been awarded a $50,000 Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) Classroom Makeover Grant to create an innovative STEM Makerspace designed specifically to support the unique learning needs of students with autism.
The Education Foundation of Martin County, Martin County School District’s strategic non-profit partner, will serve as the fiduciary agent for the grant, partnering closely with The Hope Center to support the implementation of this transformative project.
The surprise award was recently announced during a special presentation attended by representatives from the Education Foundation of Martin County, The Hope Center for Autism, the Martin County School District, and Hope Center students who will benefit directly from the new learning environment.
The grant, funded through a gift by the NextEra Energy Foundation, a corporate foundation of NextEra Energy, Inc. and FPL, is a statewide initiative to support innovative STEM learning opportunities in schools and educational programs. Each year, FPL awards 10 $50,000 grants to help educators modernize classrooms, introduce advanced technology, and expand student exposure to STEM education and career pathways.
With this investment, The Hope Center will launch Project Chameleon, an innovative initiative inspired by the school’s mascot, “Chamy the Chameleon.” The project will introduce accessible 3D printing, sensory-friendly robotics, and immersive virtual reality technology to create a dynamic STEM Makerspace tailored to students with autism.
These hands-on tools will allow students to design tangible projects, build personalized communication supports, and practice real-world skills in a safe, structured environment.
“As we prepare to move into our new building and expand our impact, this grant allows us to reimagine what STEM education can look like for students with autism,” said Joanne Sweazey, executive director of The Hope Center for Autism. “Project Chameleon reflects our belief that every student learns differently, and when we provide adaptive, hands-on tools, we unlock confidence, creativity, and career readiness.”
“At FPL, we are committed to empowering students through education and we recognize the limitless opportunities that STEM learning can bring,” said Kate Cotner, FPL director of community engagement. “With STEM education forming the anchor of a thriving future, these grants are designed to spark creativity, exploration and a lifelong passion for learning within our communities. As we celebrate the fifth year of this program, we are proud to continue expanding its reach and positively impacting even more students.”
Through Project Chameleon, students will gain:
· Hands-on experience with emerging technologies
· Opportunities to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
· Exposure to STEM-related career pathways
· Increased independence through adaptive communication and learning tools
The project will begin implementation in March 2026 as The Hope Center prepares to transition into its new facility at 500 Indian Street in Stuart, further expanding its capacity to serve students and families throughout Martin County.
“We are honored to partner with The Hope Center for Autism and Florida Power & Light on this exciting initiative,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “This grant represents a powerful investment in inclusive innovation, ensuring that students with autism have access to engaging STEM experiences that support both academic growth and future career readiness.”
The Hope Center for Autism provides individualized education, support, and advocacy for children and young adults with autism, empowering students to reach their fullest potential.
The Education Foundation of Martin County and the Hope Center for Autism extend their sincere appreciation to Florida Power & Light Company and the NextEra Energy Foundation for their commitment to advancing STEM education and creating meaningful learning opportunities for students across the community.
For more information about FPL's STEM Classroom Makeover Grant and its commitment to education, please visit www.FPL.com/ClassroomGrant.
About Florida Power & Light Company Florida Power & Light Company is America’s largest electric utility, delivering reliable power to more than 6 million customer accounts — serving approximately 12 million people across Florida. By leveraging a diverse energy mix, including nuclear, natural gas, solar and battery storage, FPL operates one of the most fuel- and cost-efficient power generation fleets in the U.S. and has earned the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for seven of the last ten years. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), which is one of the largest electric power and energy infrastructure companies in North America and is a leading provider of electricity to American homes and businesses. NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is advancing America’s energy future with one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of power generation and infrastructure solutions. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
Photo IDs, from left (Photos by Doreen Poreba) - **key photo **1434-Kate Cotner, FPL director of community engagement; Joanne Sweazey, executive director of The Hope Center for Autism; Chris Vaccaro, director of business development; Lisa Rhodes, executive director, Education Foundation of Martin County
1423-Patty McAuley and Linda Fitzpatrick, board members of the Education Foundation of Martin County
1424-Danielle Wertz, board member, Education Foundation of Martin County and education coordinator of FPL’s Manatee Lagoon; Kate Cotner, FPL director of community engagement; Chris Vaccaro, director of business development, The Hope Center for Autism
1440-Supporters of The Hope Center for Autism gather during a $50,000 check presentation for an FPL Classroom Makeover Grant.
1464-Representatives from the Education Foundation of Martin County, FPL, The Hope Center for Autism and the Martin County School District celebrate after receiving support for innovative STEM learning opportunities in schools and educational programs.
